Pint drinkers could be in for an expensive winter as rising costs look set to effect the price of a pint.
Inflation is surging in Ireland with the cost of energy bills and raw materials leaving the hospitality sector in a precarious position.
Sector chiefs have warned that many businesses will be forced to close while many others will have little choice but to up their prices to keep them afloat.
Speaking earlier in the week, VFI Chief Executive Paul Clancy told the Irish Mirror: "There is no doubt pubs across Ireland are facing an extremely challenging autumn and winter period.
"Already we are hearing about energy bills that are double or triple last year’s rates. There are more increases planned for later this year and the political view is this crisis will last for at least two years.
Read more: Irish pubs price update as latest given on Heineken and Moretti amid big UK hike
"In the face of this challenge, pubs will be forced to make difficult decisions. "
These decisions could see costs of pints rise, opening hours be slashed to save costs and even closure of some pubs.
Mr Clancy continued: "They were already attempting to manage increased business costs such as insurance and food so energy costs rising to unprecedented levels will see some pubs deciding to open for shorter hours, or in some cases, close for the winter. We may even see pubs close for good.
"These increases cannot be ‘passed on’ to the consumer, who is already under pressure from rising inflation and an increase in general costs.
"During Covid the Government introduced a series of measures to support pubs that were forced to close, including the commercial rates waiver. Our members will need a similar type intervention over the coming months.
"We don’t think people fully realise what is coming down the tracks.”
And a top economist has even predicted prices could rise so much that some establishments begin to charge €10 a pint.
DCU Business School's Tony Foley, while speaking with Newstalk Breakfast, explained why different pubs around the country charge different rates for drinks: "Basically people can get away with it, so it's the market situation. You're able to charge €6, €7 in some places and in other places it's €4/€4.50.
"The other argument, of course, is the cost involved: that the cost of running a pub is different in different locations. If suppliers have increased their prices by, say 5c a pint, what you will find is the publican won't increase it by 6 or 7c."
"They'll increase by some sort of multiple of that, 10 or 15c. And what they want to do is maintain their margins, but also keep the arithmetic sensible. You don't want to be charging €4.67 for a pint, it'll be €4.60 or €4.70."
And on the chances of pints reaching a tenner, Foley said: "In certain locations yes, as a general rule of thumb no, we're well away from that.
"The CSO estimates an average price for a pint of stout across the country, the latest figures were for June of this year, and the price is €5.13. So it's a long way to go to €10."
And we asked Heineken if their products will be rising by 6% like they are in the UK, a Heineken Ireland spokesperson said: "Heineken Ireland keeps its pricing regularly under review. However, it would be incorrect to assume that what is happening in other international markets would necessarily be replicated in Ireland."
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